Page 22 of Endlessly Yours
“But I saw Mr. Wilder. And he looks just like the other Mr. Wilder. And they’re really pretty,” she mock-whispered.
Tears pricked my eyes for some reason, even as my lips twitched.
“I see,” I said, trying to sound steady.
“Okay there, you know it’s not good to run out when Rory needs to know where you are,” Brooks said smoothly. “You scared her.”
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” Alice said as she wiggled out of his arms. Brooks set her down carefully as she scurried towards me. The gate was already open, and she slammed into my stomach. I wrapped my arms around her, not realizing I was shaking until I let out a deep breath.
“I’m so sorry. Do you still love me?”
This time, tears did fall, and I went to my knees. “I love you so much, baby girl. You scared me. But it’s okay that you’re sorry. Just don’t do it again.”
“I promise.” Alice turned over her shoulder and looked at Brooks. “I’m sorry too, Mr. Wilder.”
“Call me Mr. Brooks. There’s enough Wilders out here.”
“Okay, Mr. Brooks. But thank you for showing me your backyard. And thank you for the house.” Then she wriggled out of my arms just like she had Brooks’s and ran into the house.
I knelt there, mud on my knees, my hands still shaking, wondering what the hell I was doing.
Before I could think, Brooks was there, lifting me up as if I weighed nothing.
“What?” I gasped.
“I was going to stop by and let you know I’m home. If you need anything.” That rough voice sent shivers down my spine again, and this time, tears pricked for another reason.
“You scared me,” I whispered.
“I get that. I’m sorry that I didn’t realize in time what she had done. She just wanted to see what I was up to. And I look enough like Wyatt that she wasn’t surprised at who I was.”
“I guess I need to do better about stranger danger.” I shook my head. “I have no idea what I’m doing, Brooks.”
I hadn’t meant to blurt the words. In fact, of all people, I shouldn’t speak them to him.
But in answer, he pulled me into his arms, and I settled my cheek against his chest. The steady beat of his heart calmed me, and I didn’t want to think about the whys of that. Instead, he rubbed his hand down my back much as I’d done with Alice.
“I’m sorry.”
“You need to stop being nice to me. I don’t know what to do with nice, Brooks,” I said honestly.
“I’m not nice,” he grunted.
“I know that,” I said with a soft laugh that didn’t hold much humor. “I’m failing.”
“You aren’t, Rory. Life has a way of kicking you in the balls, and then you can’t figure out how to survive. But you’re going to. You’re stronger than that. Those girls need you, and you’re going to be strong for them. And you’re not alone.”
“Okay,” I said, not sure what else to say.
So instead, I just stood there, letting him hold me, even though I knew I was failing.
And for some reason, being in his arms made me think that maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t failing all too badly.
CHAPTER FIVE
BROOKS
“It’s about time you’re back,” Wyatt said as he reached around to grip my shoulder. “While you doing most of the heavy lifting over at the new property is good for me, we’ve missed you around here.”
